Publication Date
11-1-2022
Journal
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
DOI
10.1002/jum.15954
PMID
35142391
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-1-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Female, Pregnancy, Humans, Fetal Heart, Heart Ventricles, Ultrasonography, Prenatal, Prospective Studies, Fetal Weight, Gestational Age, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine growth restriction, speckle tracking
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate cardiac size, shape, and ventricular contractility in fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW)(Houston).
METHODS: A prospective ultrasound study examined 37 fetuses with EFWsize, shape, and contractility of both ventricles were analyzed with speckle tracking methods. Z scores were calculated using the mean ± standard deviation (SD) derived from normal controls. Measurements were abnormal if their Z score values were+1.65. The proportion of small fetuses with abnormal parameters was compared to normal reference ranges. Results were compared to a similar published study of small fetuses at higher altitude in Denver.
RESULTS: About one-third of Houston fetuses with EFW(RV) area, RV basal-apical length, RV base width, and left ventricle (LV) basal-apical length measurements. Bilateral ventricular hypertrophy was often present. An increased proportion of Houston fetuses had increased ventricular contractility. However, decreased ventricular contractility was more prevalent for higher altitude fetuses.
CONCLUSIONS: Third trimester fetuses at sea level, with an EFW <10th >centile, were often associated with enlarged and globular-shaped hearts. They had increased global and longitudinal ventricular contractility as compared to controls. Higher altitude fetuses also had enlarged globular-shaped hearts but with a greater proportion of cases having decreased ventricular contractility as compared to the sea level cohort.